A Week of Presenting My Platform and Reading to Different Schools

My next few appearances made for a busy week! I absolutely love children and was so happy to get to visit many different schools classes.

My first visit was to Jim Stone Elementary for dental appreciation week. I read two books about dental health to a group of kindergartners. The first book is about going to the dentist. It is a silly book about one imagines going to the dentist is like. In the end it is not scary at all, but fun because the children who visit the dentist get to leave with a prize. The second book is about animals and how they do or don't take care of their teeth. The children loved the books. After we read I talked to them about how to properly brush their teeth and take care of them. Then each child received a dental care kit.

The next day I visited two different classes at Margaret Van Elementary in Conway. Both of these classes were first graders. I presented the same information to them about proper dental care and passed out more dental kits. I even had a chance to visit with the classes about the Miss UCA and Miss Arkansas Pageant. All of the girls were so interested and excited to possibly compete one day.

The following day I returned to Jim Stone to talk to another group of children. I was so excited to see one of my former dance students in this class. All of the children loved hearing about dental care and going to the dentist. It is so much fun to share this information with children in a way that makes them excited to take care of their teeth.

I finished out the week by reading at Anne Watson Elementary in Perryville. This time I read to every class in the elementary school in honor of Read Across America Week. The children had spent the week reading Dr. Suess books and enjoying crafts that had to do with Dr. Suess. I read What Was I Scared Of? Each class loved the book and I really enjoyed interacting with them throughout and asking questions. At the end of each session I gave the children a few minutes to ask me any questions they had. This was definitely my favorite part of the day! They were so much fun to be around!

I had a wonderful week spending time with all of these children! They are so precious and I look forward to visiting more schools and encouraging children to take proper care of their mouth!

Interview With UCA News 6

I was so excited to be on the UCA news on February 25. I was interviewed by Callie France and was able to talk about the Miss UCA pageant, appearances I have done, my platform, talent and preparations for Miss Arkansas. It is so excited that I am able to represent the University I love and share that with everyone.

Pageant at ASU Heber

On February 16 I was able to judge a pageant located at ASU in Heber Springs. The contestants were all absolutely beautiful. They did such a great job and I was extremely impressed with each of them! One little girl, Georgia, especially touched my heart. It was her first pageant. I was able to talk to her a little more after the pageant and even take a picture with her. I encouraged her to do more pageants and shared with her parents about the Miss Arkansas Pageant System.

                                                         Georgia and I after the pageant

With All of the winners

UCA Bear Facts Day

Students looking to see a little of what UCA has to offer have the wonderful opportunity to attend Bear Facts Day. This day is designed to give prospective students and their families a preview of the campus. After they begin the day with an informational session on academic programs, admissions, housing, financial aid, scholarships, and support service they tour campus and housing. 

I attended Bear Facts Day this year and greeted many students and their families as they entered Robinson Auditorium. I thoroughly enjoyed talked with prospective students and sharing my UCA experience with them. I have enjoyed every moment of my college career and loved seeing the excitement among the group. I also talked with many parents and answered all of the questions they had about the academics, campus, and campus involvement. 

                                                    With UCA Ambassador Kelsey Theall 

National Pancake Day Benefitting CMN

The National Pancake Day celebration began in 2006. Since then IHOP has raised more than $10 million to support charities in the communities in which it operates. On February 5, 2013, guests from around the country celebrated National Pancake Day at IHOP and enjoyed a free short stack of Buttermilk pancakes. In return for the free pancakes, guests were asked to consider leaving a donation for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.

I was honored to volunteer at the IHOP in Conway along with several other local titleholders. Many people came out to support Children's Miracle Network and it was great to see all the smiling faces that donated. I enjoyed greeting the customers, hanging donation balloons, and visiting with the tables while giving them more information about CMN. I had a great time and can not wait to work the event again next year!

 

 And of course I had to have my picture made with the "I'm a fan of UCA" sticker! :)

Cheering For Our Miss Arkansas at Miss America

I was so thrilled to have the opportunity to travel to Miss America this year! What an amazing experience it was. Our Miss Arkansas, Sloane Roberts, did such a fabulous job representing the state. She is such a beautiful person inside and out and I know that I was extremely proud to answer, "Miss Arkansas, Sloane Roberts!!" anytime I was asked who I was there to watch.

Her first night at Miss America, Sloane competed in evening gown and swimsuit. She was absolutely stunning! Her gown was white with long sleeves and beads all over. She walked with such poise and elegance on the stage and definitely stood out. Her gown was my favorite from the night and of course she rocked her swimsuit also

                          (A group of the Miss America contestants doing a promotion at Burgr)

The second night of prelims Sloane competed her talent which is always amazing! I love to watch her tap dance, especially since it is my favorite style of dance. She started her dance with music and ended with a section of a cappella tapping. Her dancing was flawless and entertaining!

The final night of prelims Sloane competed in onstage question. She answered her question with such confidence and looked beautiful as well.

 I had such a great time getting to watch throughout the week and see the representation that each state made. Our Miss Arkansas won Miss Congeniality and to me that is such a compliment. What a great award to walk away from Miss America with. She is a true example as to how each young women should respect herself, stand up for what is right, and hold herself to high standards. Sloane is a wonderful role model for our young girls to look up to.

Polar Bear Express with Theodore Jones Elementary

I was so excited to return to Theodore Jones Elementary over the Christmas break. Last year I spoke to the third grade class about my platform, Giving Children Hope Through A Smile. This year I read the Polar Bear express to the fourth graders. It was great to hear the class say they remembered me from last year and what I spoke about. For the end of the semester they had pajama day at school and later got to watch The Polar Bear Express movie. The children also had a chance to ask me any questions. This is always the part I love about speaking with children. They had some really good questions about how I became involved in pageants and what all I had done as Miss UCA. I do believe my favorite question was, "Do you wear your crown everywhere you go?" As much as I love doing appearances where I get to wear my crown I think I would get some funny looks if I wore it to class everyday! I had such a great time reading and talking with the children and I look forward to returning to Theodore Jones in the future. Thank you to Amy and the other teachers for having me!